Brushing teeth may protect heart

A new study has found that brushing teeth regularly can help to prevent heart disease.

Researchers from Howard University analysed the participants of 11 existing studies on the link between oral hygiene and heart health to see if people with gum disease were more likely to develop heart disease.

They found that people with gum disease who had been exposed to bacteria for an extended period were indeed more likely to develop coronary heart disease or arterial plaques.

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Commenting on the findings, which are published in the Journal of Periodontology, the journal's editor Dr Kenneth Kornman said: 'Although there have been many studies associating gum disease with heart disease, what we have not known is exactly why this happens and under what circumstances.

'The findings of this new analysis of previously published studies suggest that the long-term effect of chronic periodontitis, such as extended bacterial exposure, may be what ultimately leads to cardiovascular disease.'

Coronary heart disease is the most common cause of premature death in the UK, causing more than 100,000 deaths every year.

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